Exterior Painting Maintenance

Keeping a good paint job good

A fresh exterior coating is the start of its service life, not the end of the work. The articles in this exterior painting maintenance category focus on the small, inexpensive steps that keep a finish performing, and on the details during the original job that make maintenance easier later.

Most paint does not fail all at once. It fails at a few weak points first: a split caulk joint over a window, a fascia board where a gutter overflows, a door bottom that sits in splashback. Catching those spots early is usually a matter of an hour with a brush rather than a week with a crew.

Maintenance moves that pay off

None of these steps require a ladder above the first floor, and most take less than an afternoon. Done once or twice a year, they can push back the date of the next full repaint noticeably, particularly on the sun-baked side of the house.

• Keep leftover paint labeled by color and location so exterior paint touch-ups match.
• Re-seal caulk joints that have opened before water gets behind the trim.
• Wash off mildew and pollen with low pressure and a mild cleaner instead of letting it etch into the film.
• Fix the water source, such as a clogged gutter or misaimed sprinkler, before repainting the damage it caused.

Where we fit in

When touch-ups are no longer enough, our exterior painting team can assess whether a partial or full repaint makes more sense. Wood trim and doors often need attention sooner than siding, so trim painting and door and shutter painting are common in-between projects.